The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Provence chapter sampler

‘Delicious!’ cried Tobias, accepting the tart and giving it a good sniff. ‘What a fabulous granny you have! We’ll pop by later and thank her.’ Pippin’s eyes boggled. ‘No, Tobias Happleby! Do not come over later. Grand-Mère is always in a mood most horrible after her sieste . She wakes with a sore head and aching bones. She is as cranky as a cat with no cream. As grouchy as a fiddler without his bow. As cross as a chicken that has sat too hard on her egg and cracked it.’ ‘Hmmm.’ Tobias ran his hand through his hair. ‘It sounds like your granny is a kind cook but a peevish waker! Well, you must thank her for us, King Pippin.’ Pippin smiled and beckoned them onward and upward. The second storey consisted of two long narrow bedrooms, side by side, each with a window that looked down onto the street. Freja stuck her head out one window while Pippin jumped up and down on the bed. Tobias poked his head out the other window. ‘Hello, old chap!’ he cried. ‘Jolly fine view!’ From here, they could see over the top of the stone wall on the other side of the street. The olive grove stretched down the hillside, its grey-green leaves shining silver in the bright afternoon sunlight. Freja inhaled deeply and smiled. It felt so good to be back amidst nature once more. ‘ Bonjour! ’ Pippin’s head popped out beside Freja’s. ‘The next window along is mine!’ he gasped. ‘If I stick

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